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PREFACE 





:^ In the last of the series of Gilbey Lectures,^ delivered 



i^, in the University of Cambridge in the May Term, 



~/f^ 1906, the object has been to present a general view 



 from the historical standpoint of the Relations of 



* Rents, Profits and Wages in English Agriculture, 



^ and to discuss the bearing on Rural Depopulation, 



and other questions of popular interest at the present 



time, e.£:, Small Holdings. 



^ In a brief survey extending over six centuries, 



it was necessary to confine the attention to the 



^ main lines of development, although throughout 



^ the economic tendencies have been brought to the 



test of crucial facts. 

 ^^ For the earlier history I am much indebted to 

 • ~^ Thorold Roger's " History of Agriculture and Prices," 

 ^ and " Six Centuries of English Work and Wages " ; 

 \^ Mr. Seebohm's " English Village Community " ; Dr. 

 V Cunningham's " Growth of English Industry and 



^ In 1904 the subject of the Lectures was the " History of 

 the English Corn Laws"; and in 1905 "Rates and 

 Taxes as affecting Agriculture,'' both published by Messrs. 

 Sonnenschein, uniform with this edition. 



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